The Supreme Court has upheld a lower court ruling annulling a search warrant used by police to examine two bank safety deposit boxes belonging to Natalie Tziapoura, a decision that excludes any findings from the search from the ongoing criminal trial.
The case, currently before the Nicosia Criminal Court, concerns Tziapoura's alleged links to convicted criminal Giorgos Christodoulou, also known as "Zavrantonas". The defendants face charges including money laundering, providing protection and illegal gambling.
The lower court had accepted an application by Tziapoura's lawyer, Dimitris Tsolakides, and cancelled the search warrant issued for two safety deposit boxes she maintained at a bank branch in Nicosia.
The warrant was executed on 1 July 2025, and police discovered €238,000 during the searches.
Attorney-General's appeal rejected
The Attorney-General appealed the decision to annul the warrant, but the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal.
As a result, the search is deemed invalid and any evidence obtained from the safety deposit boxes cannot be used as part of the prosecution's case in the ongoing criminal proceedings.
Court found insufficient evidence
According to the judgment, the lower court focused on the contents of the sworn statement used to support the search warrant application and concluded that insufficient evidence had been presented to justify the search.
The court found that police information pointed only to allegations that Tziapoura had received cash believed to be the proceeds of criminal activity.
However, the warrant authorised not only the seizure of cash but also jewellery and other valuable items, which the court found was not adequately supported by the evidence presented.
Background to the investigation
The sworn statement submitted to obtain the warrant referred to information received on 18 June 2025, alleging that Tziapoura collected sums of up to €50,000 on instructions from a person held in the Central Prison and distributed the money elsewhere.
Search warrants executed on 25 June 2025 at properties linked to relatives and associates of Tziapoura, as well as at her residence, reportedly led to the seizure of six mobile phones, a painting and €309,000 in cash.
Supreme Court reasoning
In dismissing the appeal, the Supreme Court said the failure to present sufficient evidence linking Tziapoura to the alleged offences in a manner that justified searches of her safety deposit boxes proved decisive.
The court concluded that the prior issuance of arrest and search warrants, without the necessary supporting evidence being placed before the lower court, did not automatically justify a later search of the bank safety deposit boxes.
